If Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma were home at the time of this month's police bust at their apartment, they'd still be playing for the Nittany Lions.

Wednesday, the two were charged with marijuana possession stemming from a police search of their apartment after cops responded to a noise complaint. Police originally were denied permission to search the joint -- so to speak -- but returned later with a warrant.

Had Evans (at left) and Koroma been home, no doubt they would have flushed any alleged contraband down the toilet before the police could return. But they were not home at that time, according to police records, and the cops found the evidence.

Teammates A.J. Wallace and Andrew Quarless, who also live in the apartment, were home, along with a guest. Those three were not charged.

Wallace and Quarless have suited up for both games since the Sept. 2 incident. Evans and Koroma, key cogs on the Lions' D-line, remain suspended.

Should they return?

Hell yes, for Game Six at Purdue, and here's why:

(1) It's the first time the two have gotten into trouble.

(2) If they return for the Purdue game, they will have missed five full games, or 42 percent of the regular season. That's a hefty penalty.

(3) And I'm not ashamed to admit this: State needs these guys on a depleted defensive line already thinner than Kate Moss on a diet.

So, Joe, bring 'em back. This is shaping up as potentially a very big year.

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Current Comments

So winning is more important than the law....
Yes it is a misdemeanor, but also a team rule and I would bet a school policy...no drugs
If the glove dont fit you must .....let em play ??
But the glove does fit.
the pressure to win and bring home the big bucks will most likly give you what you want, and so da boys will play...go on to the pros and end up dead or drugged up...but PSU had a big year. The NCAA is becoming the minor leagues of the NFL (Natl Felons Leag)....too bad character doesnt count anymore.

Posted By: Tom | Sep 18, 2008 3:25:34 PM

Easy Tom...understand from where you are coming but the penalty is too harsh for the crime. Standard procedure for this type of charge is a suspension for 1 or 2 games. Penn State and JoePa will have already applied a stiffer penalty (3 games) after this weekend. I agree that Joe should hold these players to a higher standard than other programs--and he is. But...these kids should not be thrown off of the team for one offense of this magnitude. Again--it does not excuse the crime, but it does bother me that 2 other players caused the need for the warrant and the two that were not there are paying the price. Not to mention--who in the hell calls the cops at 10:30 at night in a college town for loud music? Let them play vs Illinois!

Posted By: psu87 | Sep 18, 2008 8:21:27 PM

So its OK to smoke dope....just dont get caught....is that what you are saying ??. And yes the punishment is huge, so are their scholarships and the potental future oppurtunities that come come playing ball at a major school.
Maybe its time to start making people accounable for the actions they take.
By the way missing a few ,3 or 4, games that they were not needed in ...thats a punishment to who ???
If PSU wins it all what do they lose 30% of.....the pics or do they only get to see 70% of the WhiteHouse ??? Maybe they should lose 10% of their scholarships.
At 18 every kids whats to be treated as an adult until they are held accountable.

Posted By: Tom | Sep 19, 2008 12:50:27 AM

Tom, relax buddy. It's NOT okay to smoke dope; but it's also not okay to severely punish first-time offenders who get caught with an extremely minimal amount. To be suspended for 3 or 4 games is a punishment to the PLAYER. Just because the games are against cupcakes, you think the players don't care to play? These guys want to contribute in every win possible, as well as pad their stats and make the highlight reel (especially for Evans, who now likely won't get enough sacks to follow up his pre-season All-America hype). (Which, by the way, brings up another important point that is seeming to get overlooked: this three game suspension may have just won us an extra 13 games of Evans next year if he decides not to enter the NFL draft this spring).

Let 'em play vs. the Illini, and none of this "don't start them, then slowly increase their playing time week by week" bullshit for the rest of the season. Start both of them...it's payback time next Saturday night, baby.

Posted By: Kevin | Sep 19, 2008 2:28:48 AM

If the facts are as Bill says there are (and I have no reason to doubt Bill) then I think that this all could be thrown out at court. Why? Even though this is a dorm room, the occupants still are allowed their constitutional right s with regard to search and seizure. Since Koroma and Evans were not at home at the time of the search, the police should not have searched their bedrooms. The common areas of the apartment are fair game, and the bedrooms of the individuals who were at the apartment at the time of the problem are okay to search. However, police had no reason to search Koroma's and Evan's bedrooms. They were not the cause of the problem that led to the search.

Also, this would not even be a big deal if they were not football players. How many other students were arrested for drugs at PSU in the last month? I am sure the first time offenders are still particpating in school activities and going to class. They will get a semester or two of probation from the Judicial office and if they lived on campus will probably lose their housing contract for a semester. Koroma and Evans should be treated no differently.